Solar Panel Cost Guide in Orland Park, IL (2024 Update)
- Orland Park Solar Installation Cost: $16,907
- 25-Year Savings: $10,336
- Payback Period: 18.7 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Orland Park
We break down average solar pricing in Orland Park.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Orland Park it’s 4 per watt.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Orland Park, most homeowners require a 6.4-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $16,907, or $24,177 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
These figures are only averages, and how much solar costs for you will look different based on your energy needs and what company you choose to go with.Despite the large upfront cost, the average Orland Park homeowner can save around $13,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.
To see your potential savings and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Orland Park
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,751 |
| 3 years | $-13,439 |
| 5 years | $-11,127 |
| 7 years | $-8,814 |
| 9 years | $-6,502 |
| 11 years | $-4,189 |
| 13 years | $-1,877 |
| 15 years | $435 |
| 17 years | $2,748 |
| 19 years | $5,060 |
| 21 years | $7,372 |
| 23 years | $9,685 |
| 25 years | $11,997 |
Top Solar Installers in Orland Park
Installing solar panels by yourself can be a time-consuming undertaking, which is why hiring a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. The payback period of solar panels will vary based on factors like your location and energy usage, but going with a solar installer can shorten that period. Your provider will be able to help you apply for incentives available in your area.
You can get a free quote from a local solar installer on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some in Orland Park:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
See all of the solar companies in Orland Park
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Orland Park
The cost of installing a solar system in Orland Park can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The biggest one is the size of the system your home needs, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar energy system in Orland Park, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are mainly based on your home’s energy usage, which you can figure out by looking at past energy bills. Your overall cost can increase by about $3,760 for each additional kilowatt you need.The brand and kind of equipment you choose for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these are often more expensive than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Plus, if you want additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Orland Park to be too steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, nearly every solar installer in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to a higher cost over time because of interest.It’s wise to include the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it’ll take to pay back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final significant cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of clean energy solutions in Orland Park, you’ll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment.Additionally, some companies in Orland Park are more knowledgeable about local solar incentives and can help you make good use of additional rebates or tax exemptions. However, they may charge more for walking you through the whole process. Even if they cost more upfront, they could end up saving you more money in the long run.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $3.91 | $16,424 | $4,696 | 19.4 years |
| 8 kW | $3.84 | $21,477 | $6,683 | 19.1 years |
| 10 kW | $3.76 | $26,320 | $8,880 | 18.7 years |
| 12 kW | $3.68 | $30,952 | $11,287 | 18.3 years |
| 14 kW | $3.61 | $35,374 | $13,906 | 17.9 years |
| 16 kW | $3.53 | $39,585 | $16,734 | 17.6 years |
| 18 kW | $3.46 | $43,586 | $19,774 | 17.2 years |
| 20 kW | $3.38 | $47,376 | $23,023 | 16.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the brand of solar panels and the installer you choose considerably impacts your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to select the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Contract: Although reading through a contract can take a lot of time, it’s important to do it carefully so you can be sure you understand what services your solar company will provide and the terms of the warranty.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has positive reviews from past customers.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their locations and how much efficiency they need. Although there are many options for which model of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to peruse their list of offerings before deciding.
- Warranty: If you’re worried about the longevity of your solar panels, making sure your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch's Orland Park, IL Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Orland Park?
This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $18,800 for a 5-kW system and $37,600 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Orland Park?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you are unable to pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you don’t have access to many solar incentives. Also your property value won’t increase, so you’ll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most savings from going solar.
Is it worth going solar in Orland Park?
Solar panels can be a fruitful investment for most homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight and/or your electricity bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.
How long do solar panels last in Orland Park?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger level of energy production.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert's opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.